Sunday, 6 July 2014

Wrath of the Ancients

So I've finally actually finished painting something!

Hooray!!! (Rapturous Applause!!!)

What no? Oh well just me then...

Anyway here's some more Eldar.





And here's a group shot with the two I've already done, hmm almost a squad...

That's it for now.

Til next time.

Cap'n Smyrk

Monday, 30 June 2014

And now for something completely different

Nothing new painting wise I'm afraid but I've got a couple more Eldar primed and ready so you may see something painting wise soon.

As I mentioned in my second post my early GW gaming was mostly epic scale with the 2nd edition Space Marine boxset (and later Titan Legions, both of which I still have).
Back in 1997 I was eagerly awaiting the release of the new Epic 40'000. However after reading the various articles and battle reports published in White Dwarf during its short lifespan I was not particularly impressed and so never bought the game (or even tried it out). With its failure as product and the death of support for Epic my main opponent and I moved on to playing Necromunda and my Epic stuff was left languishing in the bottom of the cupboard.


I can't recall exactly what turned me against ruleset at the time, but I suspect it was mostly the dramatic change and the massive simplification that occurred. I do remember that the free form army lists and loss of the higher-level military organisations you got due to the Company cards was one of my major turn-offs.

More recently however after re-reading many of the those articles in WD I have re-evaluated my opinions. I went so far as to buy a set of the rule books off e-bay and have been reading through them. Certainly the simplification of the rules no longer bothers me, I much prefer simplicity in my rules these days.
The removal of the plethora of special rules for every single individual unit actually seems very sensible to me now, whilst many troop types may have been reduced to single generic entries (as some argued reducing the character of the armies) this makes sense in epic scale, the mechanical differences of units in WH40K simply won't matter at this scale.


Epic is a clash of large formations not of the individual warriors who make it up, and I think now I understand what Andy and Jervis were attempting to achieve.

Sure there are things I would have done differently and there are definitely some flaws in the rules but I do have a hankering to try them out (if only I had the space...).

And yes I have the Epic: Armageddon rules (on pdf anyway) and they certainly simplify the rules and retain more individual character in the units than Epic40K, but still I like the pure compactness of the this system.

Anyway I've probably bored you enough with this essay.

Til next time.


Cap'n Smyrk

Saturday, 7 June 2014

The Small and Short of it...

So not much activity from me for, well too long really. Most of my hobby time has been spent on historical modelling projects of late.

However I have done some more on the last two minis.


The ork is mostly just some extra highlights on the skin and gun.



The Fire Dragon has a free hand Eldar rune added to the front of the helmet because it looked a bit bare, now that I've looked it up its not completely accurate but I'm fairly happy with it anyway.


And finally, in relation to the post title I have my first Fantasy mini for this project. I present Hewi Drakkenbak in all his dubious glory.



He is the Dwarf from the Warhammer Quest game and like my Eschers is mostly a retouch of an ancient shoddy paint job. If and when I do other fantasy stuff expect to see a preponderance of dwarves as I am a life long dwarf fan in almost all fantasy settings (must be something to do with being short...).

Until next time (which will hopefully not be quite so far in the future...).


Cap'n Smyrk

Monday, 12 May 2014

Filty Xenos

So a pretty productive weekend as far as I go with two more minis mostly finished.

First up a first Eldar Aspect warrior, a Fire Dragon. Fire Dragons have always been my favourite Aspect, since I first saw these models in the battle report in WD 141 (the second issue I ever bought), despite the fact that they gave a pretty poor performance (probably something to do with Jervis Johnson being in command...).


I've tried to tie him in with the other Eldar I painted so he has most of the main colours used on them on him somewhere and his pistol is the same colour as their weapons. He was based and primed when I bought him (explaining why his base is done, so unlike me...) although the base needs a bit of extra work.

I've currently got three of these plus the Exarch (one of my all time favourite minis) and two of the 3rd edition Fire Dragons which I also like. Oddly I'm not much of a fan of the latest figures despite them harking back to these classics in style.

He is joined by my first Ork, I need to find some more of these I currently have four boys and three bosses... not a particularly well balanced force...


Although I called him finished at the time after another look I think he might need a few extra highlights on his skin and gun.
And here you can see my attempt at freehand, Bad Moons are my favourite of the Ork clans. I'll be going with the old Rogue Trader (and I suppose modern as well) take of having all the orks in the force belonging to the same clan rather than the mix and match approach seen in 2nd Edition.

Anyway that's it for now. Til next time...


Cap'n Smyrk

Thursday, 8 May 2014

And now for something a little more Juvenile

The latest addition to my Eschers, a Juve to round out the gang. Again a touch up of an existing slapdash paintjob.


She looks a bit cross-eyed, maybe one day I'll get my eye-painting to be consistent...

Anyway here's a pic of all the girls I've done so far together.


Still two more gangers and the heavy (although she was never actually assembled or painted first time round) left and I'll have done the whole of the gang box set (might have to see if I can acquire some of the others off e-bay).


Til next time.

Cap'n Smyrk

Sunday, 4 May 2014

Dark Emissary


So following up my little background piece I have the model to represent the villainous miscreant mentioned in it.

Yes this does mean that I have uncharacteristically painted a model almost as soon as I bought it...

But my excitement about the Star Raven/Time Lord figure was too great, especially after I had the idea for the colour scheme. Any one who guesses the inspiration wins an internet...



I've even written up some stats for him, I don't see him as much of a fighter relying on his psychic powers, mutant abilities and minions to keep enemies at bay. I've also tried to restrict his psychic abilities to mind manipulation and telepathy effects (plus teleport and an Aura) no pyrotechnics.

The Emissary

M
WS
BS
S
T
W
I
A
Ld
Int
Cl
WP
4
3
3
3
4
3
3
1
10
10
10
10
 
Weapons: Laspistol, Force Rod.

Armour: Mesh.

Equipment: Breathing Filters, Energy Scanner, Photo-Chromatic Drops.

Mutations: Evil Eye, Hypnotic Gaze.

Psychic Mastery 3, Psi-Level 33

Level 1 Powers: Immunity from Poison, Steal Mind, Teleport 1

Level 2 Powers: Ectoplasmic Mist, Rally, Sense Presence.

Level 3 Powers: Aura of Recalcitrance, Cause Confusion, Rout, Telepathy 3

Now I just need find a suitable figure for Inquisitor Tycho...


Til next time


Cap'n Smyrk


Today's Thought:  Purge those who are Unclean

Saturday, 3 May 2014

Incoming Transmission...

Imperial Record      IR 01/886

Cross file to:           Office of the Inquisition OI

Planetary ref           Euphoria A3 Atar System

Input ref                  Personal Log, Inquisitor, Tycho, Rastaban
                                43/968 ES367

Input dated              0672968.M41


My pursuit of the reviled heretic and scoundrel Julius Smyrk has brought me to this unremarkable planet on the outer reaches of the Imperium. I am at a loss to explain why its founders chose to name it Euphoria, there is certainly little euphoric about it now.

Unfortunately Smyrk's trail appears to have gone cold but my investigations continue nonetheless. More worrying is the presence of a previously unrecorded heretical cult upon the planet. This cult appears to be spreading widely amongst the planetary population and the Imperial Commander and his forces seem unable (or possibly unwilling?) to stem the tide.

I have contacted the local Arbites precinct and gleaned as much information from them and other sources as I can. The cult denies our most benevolent Emperor's light and instead directs their worship towards a shadowy entity/deity referred to as the Incandescent Star Wyrm.

The centre of the cult revolves around a mysterious individual known only as the Emissary. This individual purports to be a messenger or prophet of the aforementioned Star Wyrm. I have been unable to acquire much information about this 'Emissary' who seems to a be able to travel great distances in an impossibly short time. He has so far eluded all attempts to apprehend him.
Reports do mention his miraculous powers and inhuman charisma.

My suspicions are that this 'Emissary' is in all likelihood a psyker, probably a dangerously powerful one. Other evidence points towards his being a mutant or possibly some form of alien infiltrator. Certainly he represents a clear and present threat to the people of Euphoria and the Emperor's interests.

I will therefore call a temporary halt on my search for Smyrk and concentrate my efforts on the destruction of this cult and its malign leader.


Rastaban Tycho


Thought for the day:        There are no shadows without light